Seeta and Geeta (1972)

Seeta aur Geeta (Hindi: सीता और गीता , translation: Seeta and Geeta) is a 1972 Hindi comedy, drama film starring Hema Malini in a dual role, and directed by Ramesh Sippy. The story is by Salim-Javed and the music by R.D. Burman.

The story is about identical twins (played by Hema Malini) who are separated at birth and grow up with different temperaments. The twins then swap places (like The Prince and the Pauper). Hema's two partners in the movie are played by Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar. Manorama plays the evil aunt who changes her tune after her arm is twisted (literally). Furthermore, Hema Malini was noted for the novelty of her role as Geeta where she is rambunctious and sometimes violent.

This theme has been repeated in other movies before and after. A prior movie on this theme was Ram Aur Shyam starring Dilip Kumar in the leading dual role. Subsequent Hindi remakes of the story have been made, including
Jaise Ko Taisa starring Jeetendra,
ChaalBaaz starring Sridevi,
Kishen Kanhaiya starring Anil Kapoor,
Judwaa starring Salman Khan,
Duplicate starring Shahrukh Khan,
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi starring Kajol, in the dual roles.
Remakes in other languages include the Telugu film Ganga Manga (1973) and the Tamil film Vani Rani (1974), both starring Vanisri in the dual roles.

Hema Malini won her only competitive Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. P. Vaikunth won the Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award. In 1976, the film was shown in Soviet Union where it was a success.

Synopsis

Seeta and Geeta (Hema Malini in a dual role) are twin girls who were separated at birth. Geeta, a feisty girl is raised in a poor neighborhood and is a street performer, while Seeta is raised by her cruel aunt Chachi and meek uncle. Chachi treats Seeta like a servant, despite the fact that the family is living off her late parents' money. Seeta's only consolation is her old grandmother.

Actors